Donald Trump will headline the opening ceremony of the Great American State Fair in Washington on June 24, a last-minute booking that came after several major recording artists withdrew from performances scheduled during the two-week celebration of America's 250th anniversary.
Trump announced the appearance on Truth Social Saturday morning, claiming he would step in to replace musicians who suddenly declined to perform. "I understand Artists are getting the yips," Trump wrote, suggesting he would bring "the Number One Attraction anywhere in the World" to the event instead. The Fair runs through July 10 on the National Mall.
Freedom 250, the Trump administration-backed organization organizing the celebration, confirmed Trump's participation through spokesperson Danielle Alvarez. "As the visionary behind the Great American State Fair, we are excited to announce that President Trump will personally kick off this historic celebration on Wednesday, June 24 in an opening ceremony celebrating America's 250th birthday," Alvarez told NBC News.
The announcement came after Morris Day and the Time, Young MC, Martina McBride, The Commodores, and Bret Michaels each pulled out of the fair's lineup. The artists cited surprise at discovering the event had political connections, a statement that prompted Freedom 250 officials to insist their organization is nonpartisan and focused purely on commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
In his Truth Social post, Trump declared his intention to hold what he called an "America is Back" rally at the same time and location, directing his representatives to examine the feasibility of the event. Trump's language left no doubt about his view of the situation. "I don't want so-called Artists that get paid far too much money, who aren't happy," he wrote. "I only want to be surrounded by Happy People, Smart People, Successful People, and People that know how to WIN."
A person familiar with event planning said Trump was always scheduled to headline a July 4th celebration at the Fair. The Wednesday opening ceremony appearance is an addition to that commitment.
The Great American State Fair represents one of several major events Freedom 250 is coordinating in Washington this summer. The organization is also planning the Salute to America 250 Celebration and Fireworks on July 4, a FIFA 2026 World Cup Fan Zone in June, and the Patriot Games national fitness competition in August.
According to Alvarez, the Fair will function as more than a concert venue. The multi-week event is designed as "a World's Fair celebrating the people, traditions, innovations, and spirit that make America the greatest nation on Earth." She described plans for state exhibits, industry displays, family-friendly attractions, movie screenings, military ensembles, flyovers, and a Ferris wheel on the National Mall.
The fair's emergence has created confusion about two separate organizations coordinating 250th anniversary events. America 250, created following a congressional law passed a decade ago, operates independently from Freedom 250, which was established through one of Trump's executive orders last year. Both groups are planning events across Washington and the country to mark the milestone.
Freedom 250 has not announced replacement artists for the musicians who withdrew from the performance schedule.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "When major artists bail on a patriotic celebration, you know there's a story worth watching."
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